Idaho finalized their head coaching coach during the first week of winter break – bringing in former South Dakota State offensive coordinator Jason Eck as the new head coach of the football team.
As soon as the head coach search was over, there were questions about who would round out the rest of the coaching staff. The questions didn’t last long as the athletic department started to announce the new hires.
The staff features some coaches joining Eck on the road trip from South Dakota State to Idaho, as well as some familiar faces to Idaho fans.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach – Luke Schleusner
One of the aforementioned coaches joining Eck from the South Dakota State Jackrabbits is new Idaho offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Luke Schleusner. He was the previous wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at South Dakota State.
Defensive Coordinator – Rob Aurich
Aurich is another coach who comes from the state of South Dakota, albeit the University of South Dakota rather than South Dakota State. Aurich coached inside linebackers and was the Special Teams Coordinator for the Coyotes.
Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator – Tyler Sutton
Sutton joins the Vandals from the bay area – where he coached at the University of San Diego. Sutton was offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and also served as recruiting coordinator there, as well.
Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator – Thomas Ford
Ford comes to Moscow from the University of Washington with his own unique ties to the program. Ford previously was on the Huskies’ staff as a quality control analyst. Ford was also the head coach at Simon Fraser University where he was named 2018 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Ford’s brother, Tracy, played for the Vandals in the 2000s.
Assistant Coach/Defensive Line – David Lose
Lose was previously a Defensive Quality Control Analyst for Oregon State under OSU head coach and former Vandals assistant coach Jonathan Smith. Lose also has experience coaching defensive line in the Big Sky. Lose coached defensive line for Portland State in 2017 and 2018.
Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks – Stanley Franks Jr.
Franks makes the cross-Palouse trip from Pullman, where he worked for WSU as a defensive quality control coach. Franks also has professional football experience. He coached for the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League as the assistant defensive backs coach in 2017 and 2018.
Assistant Coach/Offensive Line – Joe Tripodi
Tripodi joins the Vandals staff as the offensive line coach – a position he also had at Temple for the last three seasons. At Temple, he coached All-American lineman Matt Hennessy, who started all 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons this season at center.
Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers – Matt Linehan
Coaching wide receivers this upcoming season is the man and former Idaho quarterback who led the Vandals to the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win and has the record for completions at Idaho – Matt Linehan. Linehan has spent the last few years gaining experience as a coach. He has worked as an offensive graduate assistant for Missouri, where he worked with the quarterbacks and receivers, and as an offensive graduate assistant for San Diego State in a similar role.
The new coaches are currently recruiting and will open their 2022 season in Pullman against the WSU Cougars on Sept. 3
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected]